IT WAS a near-perfect start to John Brown III‘s time in the National Basketball League (NBL), leading his SEM Phoenix to a massive win over the Cairns Taipans to continue the action for Round 1 of the 2025/26 season.

Brown III was a highly rated import coming into the season, joining the NBL after the Perth Wildcats missed out on his services three years ago, lauded for his defensive impact, especially after breaking Manu Ginobili‘s single season steal record in the EuroLeague.

Saturday’s clash at John Cain Arena marked the official first outing for both these teams for the season, but it was South East Melbourne who was extremely dominant for the majority of the match. The home side led by 24 points at the main break after a terrific first-half performance, and cruised home to a 37-point win.

The Phoenix could not have been happier with Brown III’s first performance in team colours, and will greatly benefit from his defensive prowess and ability to consistently disrupt plays from the opposition.

South East Melbourne Phoenix (114) def. Cairns Taipans (77)

John Brown III – 14 points, four rebounds, four assists, six steals

It seems evident that Brown III will be one of, if not the premier defensive player of the NBL for the 2025/26 NBL season after his debut performance, delivering an absolute monster showing in the first half in particular.

He was a massive reason why the Phoenix got out to such a considerable lead in the first half, with Brown III helping South East Melbourne bring immense defensive pressure. The Taipans committed 15 first-half turnovers, and it was the team’s newest import that was the driving force in lifting the tempo on that side of the ball.

In the first half alone, Brown III had recorded five steals, reading passes perfectly and poking the ball away from the opposition, while also pulling down three offensive boards in a performance that typified his hustle and desire to make an impact, even if it is the dirty work.

It was the kind of showing that inspired his teammates to lift their effort as well, and what resulted was one of South East Melbourne’s most dominant showings over the past 12 months. The pressure the Phoenix were applying and the willingness of Brown III and his teammates to constantly hound the opposition and dive on loose balls was infectious, and was reflected on the scoreboard.

South East Melbourne applied a full-court press for the majority of the match, making life extremely difficult for Cairns and forcing some sloppy passes and unnecessary turnovers from the visitors, which proved influential on the scoreboard.

Brown III finished with 14 points on the offensive end, shooting 6/12 and having a hefty impact around the basket, but it was his defensive effort that proved one of the biggest factors in the match. If he can transform South East Melbourne into a consistently restrictive team, it will be massive for the team’s championship aspirations despite an even landscape.